Behold the one-off Pininfarina Targamerica
Coachbuilt Battista roadster comes with 1,900hp - and a cigar humidor
What to do if you already own a Pininfarina Battista, and want something even more exclusive? Well, you commission a unique example, of course, a process that the owner of this car began at last year’s Monterey Car Week. Now, a year later, the one-off EV is complete: Pininfarina’s roofless Battista, the Targamerica.
Set to be handed over as part of The Quail, A Motorsport Gathering, the Targamerica is ‘a complete expression of its owner’s personality reflecting their individuality and history, their tastes, interests and unique life story.’ So forget the reworking of the carbon monocoque or a colour scheme that pays homage to Gianni Agnelli’s Ferrari Testarossa Spider - we need to talk about cigar storage.
Just when it seemed like smoking in cars wasn’t really a thing anymore, here’s a new Pininfarina project featuring space for three cigars in a humidor between the two seats. The aluminium and glass case is back-lit, changing colour with the drive modes: green for Calma, blue for Pura, orange for Energica, red for Furiosa and yellow for Carattere. This is 100 per cent a real thing. The humidor in the Pininfarina Targamerica changes colour. Its maker says that feature ‘exemplifies the elegant fusion of luxury with technology, embedded within the vehicle’s DNA as a reflection of its owner’s lifestyle and a statement of the vehicle’s truly personalised nature.’
Set to live its life in a collection, the Taragamerica is painted liquid gloss silver with iconic blue accents throughout; there’s even a hand-painted blue stripe on the rear wing. The tan leather used for the interior also finds a home on the tailored luggage set, which features the silhouette of the car. Hopefully the Targamerica makes it onto the road at some point, maybe for a weekend away, so the bags can at least get a run-out. As far as can be told, there isn’t any kind of roof for the car.
Mechanically speaking, the bespoke build carries over much from the Battista coupe, with four independent motors supplied by a 120kWh battery. Total outputs are 1,900hp and 1,725lb ft, enough for 0-62mph in less two seconds and more than 186mph. Weird old week when you’re writing about another car that claims to accelerate that fast. Such is the mad world of Monterey. At least the performance won’t come as a shock to the owner of the Targamerica, given their experience with a Battista.
Pininfarina’s CTO Andrea Crespi added: “Battista Targamerica is the result of unparalleled collaboration between our in-house design and engineering teams, as well as the client. This vehicle brings together superior on-road performance and stability, and a unique design. This commission forced us to challenge ourselves to deliver Battista levels of performance without the tensile support of a hard-body roof, pushing the team to deliver a creative, one-of-kind solution to meet our client’s needs.”
Pininfarina reckons the Targamerica perfectly exemplifies its philosophy of ‘Dream Cars, Made Real.’ Don’t be surprised if more one-off Battistas follow, then, and if more clients find inspiration during Monterey Car Week 2024 for next time around. Don’t forget the B95 should be on the way also. If you have the wherewithal, Pininfarina can make it happen. Perhaps a fridge can go in where the humidor lives next time...
EVs are appliances, to most. They don't have the thrill of ICE cars, to most.
It's very unlikely that this will ever change.
Take away the various government gifts for buying one and they'd be selling very few.
They're fast but so what?
They're heavy so they won't handle as well, they don't sound good (to most - some might like a whine or badly faked engine noise) and that thrill of instant torque will wear off pretty quickly.
Personally I love it and would very gladly have one as a daily.
EVs are appliances, to most. They don't have the thrill of ICE cars, to most.
It's very unlikely that this will ever change.
Take away the various government gifts for buying one and they'd be selling very few.
They're fast but so what?
They're heavy so they won't handle as well, they don't sound good (to most - some might like a whine or badly faked engine noise) and that thrill of instant torque will wear off pretty quickly.
When you driven a range of EVs including ones like the Taycan then you have the experience to comment. Until then it's just prejudice.
I think this car looks cool and love the sound some EVs make . Certainly way better than a straight cut box or the whine of the supercharger I had in my modified S Exige.
It wouldn’t be the first or fifth big-money car I’d buy, but I’d be lying if I said I’m not curious as to how a 2,000hp electric supercar drives.
If the guy who owns it already has Paganis, V12 Ferraris, an F40, a Bugatti or two… maybe it’s a nice palate cleanser?
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